He said that during his visits to Puttaparthy or Shantiville, he saw the activities that Sai had undertaken for the welfare of the people. And these activities, he said, were an ideal in themselves as they aimed at removing darkness.

Vajpayee said that for once he was not present in this assembly as a prime minister, but as a bhakt. ``The last time Sai was here in Delhi, I held the post of foreign minister. Now I've been promoted and I've become prime minister,'' he said, adding that he used to seek Sai Baba'a blessing even when he was out of office, and now that he's the prime minister, he perhaps needed it a little more.

In his discourse, Sathya Sai Baba said that India is a vast country which has always been a centre of spirituality, peace and non-violence. It is also the birthplace of great men like Valmiki, Vyasa, Buddha, Rama, Krishna and the land of schools, music, literature and science. ``But today, the people seem to have forgotten the importance of the hard-earned freedom and no longer stand united,'' he said.

``India today needs new principles to keep it together, which include integrity, unity, fraternity and brotherhood,'' he said. He attributed the various ills prevailing in the country to the lack of unity. ``It is time for Indians to get together to determine the welfare of the society and practice the true message of love, as it is only love that binds us together,'' Sai Baba said.

He also said all that political parties do today is fight and criticise each other. He asked them to preach and practice love and brotherhood. He also commended Vajpayee for his loyalty to one party during his political career. ``I have seen him for the past 70 years, and he has stuck to the same party all these years. We must support such a leader, who knows how to follow his dharma,'' said Sai Baba.